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(80 Model) S. H. WILGOX. DIVIDER FOR MOWING 0R BEAPING MAGHINBS.

No. 586,150. Patented July 13,1897.

WITNESSES. llVl/E/VTOH y. g wmlg TOR/IE).

UNHED States PATENT @rrrcn.

SAMUEL H. \VILCOX, OF LEBANON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN BUNCHER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

D'IVIDER F OR MOWENG OR REAPiNG MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent'NO. 586,150, dated uly 13, 1897.

Application filed September 22, 1896. Serial No. 606,604. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

7 Be it known that I, SAMUEL H. WILCOX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lebanon, in the county of Boone and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dividers for Mowing or Reaping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Frequently heretofore, especially in fields which were lodged and tangled, there has been great difficulty in properly separating the stalks of grass or grain to be cut from those to remain standing. Indeed the point of the shoe when passing through such tangled grass or grain frequently becomes entangled therewith to such an extent as to pull the same out by the roots, and causes in many cases a ragged, uneven, and imperfect separation between the cut and standing grass or grain.

The object of my said invention is to produce a device to be attached to the shoe at the outer end of the finger-bar in mowing and reaping machines by which the standing grass or grain may be efficiently divided and tangling thereof thus avoided. Said invention will be first fully described, and the novel features thereof then pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof and on which similar letters and figures of reference inclicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a mowing-machine provided with my said invention in use; Fig. 2, a fragmentary top or plan view of the invention and the immediately adjacent parts on an en.-

larged scale; and Fig. 3, a vertical sectional I view illustrating said invention as seen from the inside of the shoe, the point of sight being indicated by the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. 2. In said drawings the portions marked A represent the sickle, generally speaking, especially the finger-bar, B the shoe on the outer end of said bar, and O the rod, which is the principal feature of my present invention.

All parts of the mowing or reaping machine except the rod 0 and its attachments are or may be of any usual or desired form, and as they form no part of my present invention said parts will not be further described herein,

except incidentallyin describing said invention.

The rod O has a part 1, which extends forwardly and upwardly, its extreme lower point 5 5 being at the bend 2. It then rises vertically to the bend 3 and runsthence backwardly to the bend 4, thence upwardly to the bend 5, while its rear portion 6 extends out and takes the place and performs the work of the usual guide-board. This rod is secured to the shoe by means of the clip 0 and the plate C The clip C is preferably formed of sheet metal bent around and secured to the rod C by rivets, as shown.

The plate 0 is a metal plate secured to the shoe B by a bolt 1). It has an eye at the front end, through which the vertical portion of the rod 6 between the'bends 4 and 5 passes and whereby said rod is prevented fromturning 7o relatively to the shoe. This plate is shown with a series of holes, one of which is occupied by the bolt 1). Such series is provided for the purpose of permitting the device to be attached to mowers or reapers having different-sized shoes. These shoes are always provided with a hole to which a guide-board is commonly attached, and by providing this plate with a series of holes it can be attached to any machine by simply removing said guide-board and inserting the bolt b in the hole in the shoe and in that one of the holes in the plate C which most nearly registers therewith when the clip 0 is drawn over the i point of the runner, all as shown most plainly in Fig. 2.

The operation is as follows: The upwardlyinclined part 1 of the rod 0 when in place extends forward into the grass or grain and presses that with which it comes in contact downwardly and separates it, as indicated most plainly in Fig. 2, thus completely dividing the stalks and pushing them apart, thus making a clean line of demarcation through the field. In order that this may be done effectually,the lowest point to which the stalks are to be forced must be close to the ground, as at the bend 2 in the rod; but it isnecessary in order that said stalks may be out properly that they be released so as to spring upward somewhat after being thus pressed apart. The vertical portion of the rod between the bends 2 and 3 is therefore provided, which permits the stalks to rise up to some extent, but not to again come in contact with each other so as to become tangled.

By means of my invention the portion to be cut and that to remain standing are clearly and evenly separated, and a perfect swath is the result.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A divider adapted to be attached to the shoes of mowing and reaping machines consisting essentially of a rod the extreme forward end of which is at a considerable elevation, the rod running thence rearwardly and downwardly to a point in front of the shoe close to the ground, then upwardly for a short distance, and thence rearwardly to where it is attached to the shoe, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with a mowing or reaping machine, of a rod 0 comprising a divider portion, and a guide portion 6, and secured to the shoe by the clip 0 thereon and the adj ustable plate 0 through which it passes, substantially as shown and described.

3. An attachment for mowing and reaping machines consisting of a rod comprising the inclined divider part 1, and a rearwardly-extending guide part 6, and having the bends 2, 3, 4 and 5 at intermediate points, with suitable attaching devices whereby the same is secured to the shoe of the machine, substantially as shown and described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Lebanon, Indiana, this 13th day of August, A. D. 1896.

SAMUEL H. XVILCOX. [L. s]

WVitnesses:

OLIVER P. PERKINS, W. O. DARNALL. 

